Find a beach with Umbrellas and beds near you
Katholiko Bay, nestled in northwest Crete, is just a 30-minute drive from Chania. This captivating destination promises an adventurous hike that showcases numerous caves, a historic abandoned monastery, a stunning Avlaki gorge, and finally culminates at the picturesque Katholiko Bay. This beach once served as a port for the Katholiko Monastery, where monks used to dock and mend their boats. Its strategic location also made it a prime target for pirate invasions, leading to the monastery’s abandonment in the 16th century.
To embark on this adventure, start at the Gouverneto Monastery. A 30-minute trek will lead you to the deserted Katholiko Monastery. Venture below the bridge, traverse the Avlaki gorge, and in another 20 minutes, the mesmerizing beach awaits. While it’s a rocky haven devoid of sand, the crystalline waters more than compensate. With towering cliffs enclosing the beach, it’s an ideal spot for cliff-diving enthusiasts. Note that the area lacks shade, but there’s a quaint cave on the mountainside for some respite.
Elounda’s Skisma Beach is a picturesque sandy enclave, perfect for families. Its cleanliness and organization make it especially welcoming.
Little ones delight in its flat sandy terrain and the playground, while older kids gravitate towards the available water sports. Occasional winds result in bigger waves, offering simple surfing opportunities.
With convenient facilities like restrooms and showers, coupled with an array of nearby taverns, it’s an ideal spot for families with children.
Beti beach is nestled just a kilometre away from the bustling city of Agios Nikolaos, and a mere five-minute stroll from Almyros beach. This small slice of paradise often remains undiscovered by the typical crowd, providing an idyllic retreat for those in search of tranquillity.
This diminutive yet delightful beach, embraced by the natural landscape, boasts soft, sun-kissed sand that warmly greets your feet. Thanks to its sheltered location, Beti beach is often protected from the region’s wind and waves, making it a calm oasis amidst the vibrant surroundings. A visit to Beti beach gives you an opportunity to savour the serene ambience, far removed from the usual throngs of beachgoers, adding an element of seclusion to your Cretan beach adventure.
Kimzu Sea Lounge Beach is a small sand-and-pebble beach in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, 1 km from Lake Voulismeni, with shallow crystal-clear water, sunbeds, and an all-day beach bar. The beach pairs a shimmering shore of white pebbles and sand with a relaxed sea lounge, so you can swim in the morning and stay for coffee, food, and cocktails into the evening. It is calm, family-friendly, and easy to reach by paved road or bus from the centre of town.
Kimzu Sea Lounge Beach is a compact beach fronting the Kimzu sea lounge on the southern side of Agios Nikolaos. The shore mixes shimmering white pebbles with sand, and a distinctive touch sets it apart: instead of hot sand, part of the lounging area is laid out on cool, lush grass.
Despite its small size, the beach rarely feels crowded and keeps enough space for everyone. The water is shallow and inviting, which makes it popular with families and young children. You get both beach surfaces in one spot, which you can read more about on the guides to Crete’s fine-pebble beaches and its sandy beaches.
Kimzu Sea Lounge Beach sits at Anapafseos 44 in Agios Nikolaos, in the Lassithi region of eastern Crete, 1 km from the town’s famous Lake Voulismeni. Kimzu beach is one of the closest organised swims to the centre, so it works as an easy half-day escape.
Getting there is straightforward. A paved road leads down to the beach, and bus services reach the area, which helps if you are staying in town without a car.
Kimzu Sea Lounge Beach offers full beach amenities alongside an all-day bar and kitchen. The beach has a generous supply of sunbeds and umbrellas, plus the grassy lounging area in place of hot sand.
The practical facilities on and around the beach are:
As the sun goes down, the Kimzu sea lounge shifts from a daytime beach bar into an evening venue, with resident DJs and live music on some nights. The food leans Mediterranean, so the spot suits a full day by the water rather than a quick swim. If you would rather base yourself close by, browse the places to stay around Agios Nikolaos.
Kimzu Sea Lounge Beach is well suited to swimming, with shallow, crystal-clear water. The sea stays calm because anti-wave blocks about 120 m offshore hold back the larger waves, which keeps the bay gentle.
The shallow entry makes the water easy for young children and less confident swimmers. The clear, calm conditions also make Kimzu beach a good spot for snorkeling close to shore.
Kimzu Sea Lounge Beach rewards visitors who want a calm swim paired with a proper beach bar. The setting fits a specific set of visitors best:
It suits you less if you are after a large, wild stretch of sand or a quiet beach with no bar, neither of which Kimzu offers.
A few simple pointers make the visit smoother:
To turn the swim into a fuller outing, there are guided tours and food walks based in the town. You can line these up alongside the beach through the local things to do in and around Agios Nikolaos.
Where is Kimzu Sea Lounge Beach? Kimzu Sea Lounge Beach is at Anapafseos 44 in Agios Nikolaos, in the Lassithi region of Crete, 1 km from Lake Voulismeni.
What kind of beach is it? Kimzu is a small beach with a shore of shimmering white pebbles and sand, backed by a grassy lounging area and crystal-clear water.
Is Kimzu beach good for swimming? Yes, the water is shallow, clear, and calm. Anti-wave blocks about 120 m offshore keep the bay free of larger waves.
Is Kimzu beach suitable for children? Yes, the shallow, calm water makes it popular with families, and an adjacent park adds a playground and a basketball court.
What facilities does the beach offer? Kimzu offers sunbeds and umbrellas, a grass lounging area, and an all-day beach bar serving coffee, food, and cocktails.
Does the beach get crowded? Despite its small size, Kimzu beach usually does not feel crowded and keeps enough space for its visitors.
Is the water good for snorkeling? Yes, the clear, calm, shallow water makes Kimzu a comfortable spot for snorkeling close to the shore.
How do I get to Kimzu beach? A paved road leads down to the beach, and bus services reach the area, so you can arrive with or without a car.
Is there anything to do besides the beach? Yes, the Kimzu sea lounge runs as an all-day bar with sea views, and some evenings bring resident DJs and live music. You can compare more swims nearby on the wider Crete beaches guide.
Kimzu Sea Lounge Beach sits just outside the centre of Agios Nikolaos, so a short drive links it with Lake Voulismeni, the nearby beaches, and the wider Lassithi coast in a single day. Having your own wheels makes it far easier to string these stops together at your own pace, which is worth sorting out with car rental in Crete.
Agii Pantes island is home to a quaint sandy beach situated just across the port of Agios Nikolaos. The beach, as well as the whole island, is accessible only by boat or via kayak or SUP departing from Ammoudi beach. It stands adjacent to the little islet Mikronisi, both acting as natural barriers safeguarding Agios Nikolaos. Moreover, the island serves as a habitat for several hybrid species of the endangered Cretan ibex.
Triopetra beach, nestled at the base of Mount Siderotas and 52km south of Rethymno, can be reached via paved roads leading from either Akoumia or Sachtouria. Part of the extensive Akoumiani Gialia beachfront, Triopetra got its name as a historical winter refuge for the inhabitants of Akoumia, who built small huts near their olive groves. Presently, most land and hotels in the area are owned by descendants of these Akoumia residents.
Triopetra boasts two distinct beaches, separated by a petite peninsula. The peninsula’s defining feature is the three spectacular rocks jutting out from the sea, giving Triopetra its name, which translates to “Three Rocks”.
The first beach, Small Triopetra or Koumado, resides in an enclosed bay lined with sand and rock to the south of the three rocks. Here, the Akoumianos river meanders into the sea, forming a natural boundary between Triopetra and the enchanting Agios Pavlos Sandhills at Cape Melissa. Small Triopetra hosts a handful of taverns and rooms, with umbrellas available for sun-seekers. Additionally, the southeast edge of the beach is home to a small harbour, known as Stomio or “mouth”, named after the river’s mouth meeting the sea. Just 1km northeast of the beach, the awe-inspiring chapel of Prophet Elias stands on a high hill, commanding an impressive view over Akoumiani Gialia.
Georgioupolis, a small coastal town located 38km east of Chania and 21km west of Rethymnon, is a seaside resort nestled in a verdant valley crisscrossed by rivers and springs. Situated on the western edge of a sprawling 10km beach, the town’s beach spans 2km to the east, beginning at the Almiros river and terminating at Kavros beach, a natural continuation of the former. The beach in Georgioupolis is sandy, dotted with dunes, and has shallow waters.
The beach is well-maintained and child-friendly, with lifeguards on duty. Caution is advised during windy conditions due to sea currents. Amenities such as umbrellas, showers, and food and drink stalls are available for beachgoers. Approximately 700m east of the port, the Perastikos river bifurcates the beach, which then widens as it continues eastward. On the opposite end, west of Georgioupolis’s port and near the Almyros river’s exit, lies the picturesque Kalivaki beach.
The stunning Aspes beach, with its dark sand, is nestled approximately 58km south of Heraklion, in one of the most remote and hard-to-reach areas of the Asteroussia Mountains. This beach lies 4km to the east of the Tris Ekklisies settlement. Aspes is known for its almost vertical cliffs surrounding it, adorned with spectacular caves that appear as if carved by hand due to their orthogonal sides. The vibrant turquoise hues of the sea make it one of the most picturesque beaches in Crete, and perhaps the most beautiful in the Heraklion region. The beach offers fantastic opportunities for swimming and fishing.
Reaching the beach by foot is not possible, so it’s only accessible by boat. The closest harbours are in Treis Ekklisies or Tsoutsouras. The beach, due to its secluded location, provides a tranquil atmosphere, waiting to greet the fortunate boat owners. Boats are typically moored high on the beach’s rocks, their ropes creating an interesting grid-like pattern. If you visit Aspes, it’s recommended to bring a spoon to collect salt from the natural salt pans formed on the rocks at the beach’s edge. Additionally, don’t miss the towering rocks at the beach’s western end, reminiscent of scattered Obelix’s menhirs!
Voulisma Beach is a Blue Flag beach on the north coast of East Crete, known locally as Golden Beach for its fine golden-white sand. Voulisma Beach sits in a sheltered cove at the southern end of Mirabello Bay, 12 kilometres (8 miles) east of Agios Nikolaos and 22 kilometres north of Ierapetra, next to the village of Istron. It is the main bay of the three that indent the Istron coastline, and it appears on many postcards of Crete.
The beach is fine golden-white sand that shelves gently into shallow, calm, turquoise water, which makes swimming easy for children and weaker swimmers. Voulisma Beach is fully organised in summer with sunbeds, umbrellas, a beach bar, a lifeguard, showers, and water sports, and there is food, water, and accommodation within walking distance. The cove earns its water-quality standing every year, one of the island’s Blue Flag beaches in Crete.
To reach Voulisma Beach by car, drive the coastal road that links Agios Nikolaos with Sitia, because that road runs past the beach car parks on the edge of Istron village. Roadside parking sits directly above the sand. Rent a car in advance if you want to combine the beach with the quieter coves and Minoan sites nearby, which you can arrange through car rental in Crete.
To reach Voulisma Beach by bus, take a service from Agios Nikolaos bus station towards Istron and Sitia, then walk down to the shore from the main road. Buses run through the day from Agios Nikolaos in the summer season.
The best time to visit Voulisma Beach is from June to September, when the sea is warm and the beach is fully staffed with sunbeds and umbrellas. July and August are the busiest months, and the narrow strip of sand fills quickly around midday. Arrive before 11:00 or after 17:00 in high summer to find space and a free sunbed.
Check the wind forecast before you travel, because Voulisma faces the open bay and north-westerly winds change the beach. Strong winds push waves onto the narrow sand and can wash plastic litter ashore, so a calm, low-wind day gives the clearest water and the widest beach. In April, May, and October the beach is quiet and unstaffed, and the sea is cooler for swimming.
Two small coves sit just west of the main beach, and both are more sheltered from the wind and far less crowded than Voulisma. Istron Beach, the narrower and rockier stretch to the east, holds fewer sunbeds and suits visitors who want more room. For a pebbly alternative with olive groves and greater privacy, walk to the neighbouring Agios Panteleimon beach, about 700 metres away.
Voulisma Beach also works as a base for East Crete’s Minoan history. Gournia, one of the best-excavated Minoan towns, lies 10 kilometres (6 miles) east near Pachia Ammos, and you can walk its streets and staircases at the archaeological site of Gournia. Panagia Faneromeni Monastery stands 11 kilometres (7 miles) south-east on a steep slope, with a church built into a cave and wide sea views, and it draws pilgrims every year on 15 August. The fishing village of Mochlos and the port town of Sitia lie further east for a longer day out.
Three tavernas within reach of Voulisma Beach serve traditional Cretan food:
Yes, Voulisma Beach is worth visiting for its fine golden sand, shallow turquoise water, and Blue Flag facilities. It is one of the most photographed beaches in East Crete and holds full summer services, so it suits both families and day-trippers.
Access to Voulisma Beach is free, because beaches in Greece are public. You pay only for extras such as a sunbed and umbrella set or food and drinks at the beach bar.
Park in the car parks beside the beach along the Agios Nikolaos to Sitia road, at the edge of Istron village. Spaces fill early on summer weekends, so arrive in the morning for the easiest parking.
Voulisma Beach is widely rated among the prettiest beaches near Agios Nikolaos, alongside the quieter Istron and Agios Panteleimon coves in the same bay. Its golden sand and clear turquoise water are the reason it is nicknamed Golden Beach.
Yes, Voulisma Beach suits families with children, because the water is shallow and usually calm, and a lifeguard is on duty during the day in summer.
Yes, Voulisma Beach offers water sports in summer, including jet skiing, parasailing, and banana-boat rides.
Yes, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas at Voulisma Beach for a fee, and the beach bar above the sand runs the sets.
Yes, Voulisma Beach has step-free access, with wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets available.
Voulisma Beach has sunbeds and umbrellas, a beach bar, a lifeguard, showers, water sports, and a Blue Flag, with food, water, and accommodation nearby. Bus services and a paved road reach the beach, and there is tree shade behind the sand.
Red Beach, known in Greek as Kokkini Ammos, is a red-sand beach on the south coast of Crete, about 800 metres south of Matala and 68 kilometres southwest of Heraklion. You reach it on foot over Kastri hill or by boat from Matala harbour. The rust-red sand comes from the local geology and sets off a blue-green sea, which is what makes the beach so striking.
The beach is remote and unorganised. It has no road access, so it stays quiet even in high season, and it is open to the western winds that blow across this part of the coast.
Most visitors walk from Matala on a marked trail that crosses Kastri hill north of the village. The walk takes about 15 to 25 minutes one way and involves some rock scrambling at the start and a steep descent near the end, so wear proper walking shoes rather than sandals. The route is clear but rough underfoot.
Follow these steps from Matala:
You can take a boat from Matala harbour for a small fee of around 5 euros each way if you would rather not hike. A car makes the wider Matala area much easier to reach, since the beach sits on the exposed south coast with no road nearby, so you can compare options for a hire car in Crete.
Red Beach has very few facilities. There is a simple stone-wall coffee shop that opens occasionally for food and drinks, plus a small number of umbrellas that fill up quickly. The only natural shade comes from a few tamarisk trees near the canteen, so it is worth bringing your own mat, umbrella, water, and snacks.
You can swim here, but the beach faces the prevailing western winds and the sea is often wavy, so take care on windier days. The reward for the effort is a quiet bay with panoramic views, clear water, and wide sunset views over the sea.
Red Beach was a favourite of hippies in the 1960s and 1970s, and enthusiasts have kept visiting ever since. The northern part of the beach is known as a nudist-friendly area and has an international reputation for it. The beach and its surroundings are protected under the Natura 2000 programme because of their ecological value.
At the northern end, a long limestone formation resembles the rock of Matala. It is decorated with carvings of Minoan and Egyptian sea figures made by Gerard, a Belgian admirer of Matala, and these sculptures have become part of the beach’s character.
Between Matala and Red Beach stands a large rock called Theosini, which gives wide views over Messara Bay. The sea has eroded it into a marine cave known as Kouroupi, reachable only by boat. The cave shelters endangered Mediterranean monk seals and several species of wild pigeon.
Walk the marked trail from the northern edge of Matala over Kastri hill, which takes about 15 to 25 minutes and includes some rock scrambling and a steep final descent. Alternatively, take a boat from Matala harbour for around 5 euros each way.
Yes, you can swim at Red Beach, but it faces the western winds and the sea is often wavy, so swim with care on windy days. Calmer conditions give clear blue-green water.
Red Beach rewards the short hike with rust-red sand, clear water, panoramic views, and quiet sunsets. Its limestone carvings and protected setting make it more than an ordinary swim stop.
Yes. The northern part of Red Beach is well known as a nudist-friendly area and has an international reputation for it.
Facilities are minimal: an occasional stone-wall coffee shop and a few umbrellas. Bring your own mat, umbrella, water, and food, since the only natural shade comes from a few tamarisk trees.
No. Red Beach has rust-red sand from the local rock, not pink sand. The pink-tinted sand Crete is famous for is at Elafonisi, in the southwest of the island.
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